Team size: 50

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

As the Global Head of Governance, Risk, and Compliance at Biocon Biologics Limited, I have led key initiatives enhancing governance, compliance, and strategic collaborations globally. I oversaw major transactions, including the Viatris biosimilars acquisition and collaborations with Sandoz and the Serum Institute, major PE investments, listing of USD Bonds on Singapore Stock Exchanges, and many others while managing complex licensing, partnerships, and regulatory frameworks. Our team strengthens corporate governance, ESG, and compliance frameworks, ensuring statutory adherence, ethical conduct, and transparency across global operations.

Biocon Biologics has been honored with the prestigious “Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance” for 2025 by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India. Over the past few years, we have consistently strived to strengthen our governance framework, and this prestigious award reflects the collective efforts of each one of you in upholding our values and strengthening the trust of all stakeholders.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

Amidst volatility and turbulence, I prioritise proactive governance, regulatory preparedness, and transparent communication to navigate challenging periods effectively. Our approach integrates scenario planning, regulatory risk assessments, and cross-functional coordination to ensure global compliance and business continuity. Supported by a dedicated risk team, we identify, assess, and mitigate emerging risks to maintain continuity and compliance. I lead the secretarial and compliance teams in strengthening board governance, developing rapid-response frameworks, and ensuring decisions uphold ethical, statutory, and regulatory standards. Governance frameworks are reviewed regularly to enhance oversight, reinforce accountability, and ensure Biocon Biologics remains compliant, agile, and prepared for unforeseen events.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws? 

At Biocon Biologics, we drive digital transformation in our function through secure e-governance, contract management, and document automation systems, supported by our proprietary digital tools. Our strategy integrates risk assessments for digital platforms, staff training on data privacy, and compliance checkpoints aligned with India’s data protection regulations and global privacy standards. By combining technology with robust governance and ethical oversight, we enhance operational efficiency, reduce legal risks, and ensure workflows are secure, transparent, and fully compliant. This approach safeguards sensitive information, enables faster decision-making, and maintains efficiency, auditability, and resilience across multiple jurisdictions.

Given the current geopolitical shifts and growing uncertainties around international free trade, has your company’s risk profile evolved, and are you taking measures to address these challenges? 

With ever-changing geopolitical dynamics, Biocon Biologics continuously monitors global developments and adapts its risk profile accordingly. Dedicated teams anticipate and mitigate emerging risks through enhanced scenario planning and proactive regulatory engagement. Our global corporate compliance and governance practices enable proactive risk management, helping the company respond swiftly to geopolitical shifts. By reinforcing operational resilience, financial prudence, and agile decision-making, Biocon Biologics safeguards sustainable growth. These measures ensure the company remains compliant, adaptable, and well-positioned to navigate a complex international landscape while maintaining business continuity and strategic agility. 

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company? Can you share an example of a recent legal-led initiative that had a significant impact?

Deeply integrated into strategic decision-making, our team plays a key role by aligning secretarial, compliance, and governance frameworks with the company’s business objectives, ensuring proactive management of regulatory complexities. We provide risk-based guidance to support decision-making, enable market expansion, and ensure regulatory adherence across jurisdictions. A recent initiative involved streamlining cross-border licensing agreements to accelerate biosimilar market entry in both advanced and emerging markets. This mitigated potential liabilities, optimised operations, and strengthened partnerships, directly supporting continuity and growth. The team ensures robust governance, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation, safeguarding the company’s operations and integrity.